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Friday, August 31, 2018

I've been working on the fourth book to Polaris but having real trouble with Ying's route. He's such an ornery weirdo that I'm having difficulties with dialogue. The book is almost 600 pages long and I'm still not at the climax of yet. So... this might be another 800-page Empress of Ning book. At least if you count pages of books while reading like I count steps, it's a real workout, huh?

I've also started a part time job recently to save up for a house, cuz prices have skyrocketed from a few years ago. That's cutting into writing time too. I really hope to get this book rolling and out by the end of the year. So... look for it. I think my fan base is 1 person. Whoever you are, thank you much!

Oh, and in case you're curious, I'm working part time at Walmart. Seems whenever I tell people this, they roll their eyes or scrunch their faces, lol. It starts at $11.50/hr stocking in the back and a little less in the front as cashier ($10-$11?). Backroom is harder work with lifting and all that, so it pays more. My doctor says I need to lose 20 pounds anyhow. Maybe this will be the exercise plan that sticks! XD
Hours are flexible. Bonuses are given four times a year ($550 max each time for full time folks; part time is based on hours worked). I like how their Pathway program allow employees to move up into higher positions over time. One of the assistant managers in Dairy is 19 years old, another over in Meat or Frozen, forget which, is 23 and so on. I've never been a manager of anything. Kind of weird these kids are managers but also pretty cool.

I've done a number of odd jobs in my lifetime, from painting houses, to working in a factory, to selling fruits at the farmers' market, to a good ole' desk job... and now in retail. Gotta say, despite the higher qualification for a desk job, I still respect people who can put in a hard day's labor. Since I'm doing both at the same time, kind of make me appreciate my lousy desk job more because I get to sit whenever I want. So overall, an appreciation of both white and blue collar jobs.

That isn't to say that if you're young and doing one of these physical labor jobs that you should stay in it. Won't be fun when you're old. Always try for more because you'll never know what you can do. Many community colleges have tuition assistance. Don't be quick to say that you were never good in school. Thing is, I find that I learn things better and make them stick longer now that I'm older. I don't learn as fast as I used to, but I understand more. And for those bored in a desk job and gaining weight like I am, don't turn your nose at a blue collar job for that extra cash and much needed exercise if you have the interest/time/energy. Siting in a cubicle for 40 years will turn you mad.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

I saw an ad for Royal Chaos and decided to download it (from the app store). It's strange and unique; kind of like Love Nikki: Dress Up Queen.

You can play as male or female; the game has different goals depending on your gender. I don't know what the guy aspires for since I chose the girl. The story goes that your father slighted the emperor's fav concubine (who's at war with the empress for control) and so, as the female MC, dump your love and go to the palace in hopes that His Highness, Emperor Mu, picks you as a consort. I guess this is to make sure your family is safe?

When you get there, make some friends and build a team to fight off snarky bi-atches and jerks who stand in your way. As the MC, you can play as a scholar, warrior, healer, sage (I think that was it) with different attributes and engage in combat with others to win gold, etc. Combat is turned based but it's not like Final Fantasy where you get to choose the moves. It's auto. Still kind of funny. Also, the game is 3D.

The emperor is hot. Reminds me of Hotohori. Apparently, with all those women fighting over him, he's pining after someone that he can't have (sounds like Hotohori?). I guess your role, if you play your cards right, ladies, is to win his heart. Now, the weird thing is... I thought the MC loved the man she left behind and yet once she sees Emperor Mu on the side quest (where you/player get to touch him *wink wink*) she's acting as if he's so beautiful that he could be "Mr. Right." Ermm... So, did she not love her bf? Weird. Whatever.

I love old Chinese clothing, architectures, landscape, languages... ancient Chinese aesthetics in general, so this game is right up my alley. I think I must have lived there in another lifetime.

Anyhow, check it out and let me know what you think.

**P.S. Yes, it does take a bit of time to download so get on that wifi to save some data.

Have fun gaming!~Lenne Penry

*******************************************************Update:

The emperor is nothing like Hotohori. He sleeps with everybody (but he loves you/MC the most *rolls eyes*). Also, it's like the Bachelorette show mixed with Sister Wives; full of drama, backstabbing, two-faced women vying to be number one. Even the MC doesn't seem to really like Emperor Mu all that much, she's just faking it to get more favors. I don't like anyone in this game... except for the MC's old bf/lover. At least he seems more genuine than all these harpies put together.

So... do I still recommend this game? Sure, it's interesting game play. Just... don't expect to get attached to any character.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

I'm super full from BBQ so I'm watching the Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on El Rey Network. I used to watch this in the 90s but back then my English wasn't very good so I pretty much watched it for the fighting. Now that I can understand the plot, the stories seem really good. A good series, even now. Watch it when you get a chance.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Shall We Date put out a new spin-off for Wizardess Heart. The extra cool and super nice roommate, Amelia Niles, finally gets a shot at love. I was hoping it would be Professor Merkulova. Instead, it looks like two generically drawn characters: Augustus (boy) and Scarlett (girl?). (Girl?) because Amelia never mentioned that she was into chicks and this could be one of those boy dressed like girl dressed like boy thing... or something. I haven't gotten far in the spin-off since I ran out of story tickets.

I really was hoping it would be Prof Merkulova. Yes, I know I already said it but still... Prof Merkulova! Why? In one of Liz's route, she mentioned her type of guy is someone like Prof Merkulova. In another route, it was Headmaster Randolph, if memory serves. Either way, she likes older guys. I think Prof Merkulova would be so perfect for Amelia. He's young, handsome and bookish. Has some personal issues as revealed by Elias's route, which would have made great conflict for a story.

Someone fanfic this please!

Otherwise, if you're playing the spin-off, let me know what you think of Scarlett and/or Augustus.

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about:Game: Wizardess HeartDeveloper: Shall We Date AppsLocation: App store (android; iOs)Cost: Free

Friday, June 22, 2018

I logged into Wizardess Heart yesterday and saw an ad for "Win His Heart Slots." Apparently, it's a new slot game where you can win CGs from the some of popular Shall We Date App otomes such as: Wizardess Heart; Blood in Roses; Guard Me, Sherlock; Love Tangle; Ninja Assassin.

I clicked through the link from Wizardess Heart and got 1,000,000 points after the download. Also, Klaus Goldstein's slot is available for download for a short time... today is the last day, maybe?

Overall, it's kind of a clunky, slow app. Not terrible but gets boring awfully fast in my opinion. I would suggest that you try it out if you're interested. At least the cute guys have a bit more movement as they cheer you on if you win than the usual static pictures from the otomes. Randy's slot has Taffy instead of Randy. I like Taffy so no complaints.

I'm not sure exactly where this concept came from or where it'll go from here so I'll keep the download for now in case something fun develops.

Saturday, June 16, 2018

If you've ever written, drawn, crafted or created any sort of artistic works, have you ever put too much of yourself into the pieces? Often, I wonder if I've made my MC, Bao Lai, too much like myself... or at least, the me I think I am inside my own head. I discovered recently that isn't so and maybe, I should be more like her.

You've heard me complain about my job before (as many working people do) and if you've read Malphas, you'd get the gist of my feelings toward my coworkers... again, afraid I might have put too much of myself into writing. Anyway, I'm not fond of being a complainer. I'm more of a doer, so I thought. Last year, I applied to the JET Program as an assistant language teacher for the 2018 school year. Well, I was actually short listed and was assigned to a great city called Sapporo (like the beer) in Hokkaido, Japan. I was really excited except... ultimately, I failed to make the jump. As we learn from many otomes, an MC is no one special until she either is drawn into some craziness or takes a chance at life. I actually felt as if I could have been an MC in my own little story if I had taken the chance and started over in Japan.

The idea of starting anew is thrilling and frightening. I kept thinking, I'm in my thirties... this job is mainly targeted at new graduates. If this were a decade ago, I wouldn't hesitate. To give up my safe job and go overseas just to finally come back and... look for another job that will likely pay less, not to mention, lose two years worth of additional savings which I've been working toward in order to afford a house is... madness. Then there were fears of the language barriers, making social mistakes, not knowing how to get places (because I get lost a lot), horror stories online from JET alums, etc. There were also some family issues too that added to the weight on my chest. Even then, ever since I turned down the position (and made someone on the waiting list very happy), a thought has been been gnawing at my psyche. What if this was my last and only chance to work abroad like I've wanted for a long time? What if I could have discovered some great sights and made lasting memories? The 2020 Olympics will be in Tokyo. I could have gone to the Olympics! Maybe, I could have met the love of my life. I didn't walk down that path and now I'll never know. The what ifs in life are truly daunting.

When I used to hear people quit great jobs to go do crazy things in search of adventure, I thought them bonkers. I guess I understand now. Life is short. Live it while you can because in the end, money can't be taken with you. Find happiness and live a good life instead of sitting in a dead end job quietly cussing your a-hole coworkers. That's a heart attack waiting to happen. Though, that's not to say recklessly quitting a good job is best for everyone. Still, I am quite the coward, the opposite of my MC. I was at the last step before going and I withdrew. She would have just gone even if she were quivering in her boots. She would have found something great while I merely watch from beyond the covers and dream the same without the gumption to imitate.

I realized I'm not my MC and I haven't put too much of myself into my pieces. Instead, I should have let life imitate art, and taken more of Bao Lai's personality into me. Maybe I write about the person I aspire to be; not perfect, but perfectly capable of speaking her mind and taking chances. I've thought about this before and now, more than ever, I think I'll take this motto to heart: YOLO.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

I was out last week on conference by having bummed off another's team trip, and have some pictures to share. I was in Daytona Beach--pretty swanky, right? Loved the ocean sounds. Overall, it was a good trip and I learned a lot. If you were at the same conference, you might have seen me and not know it, lolz.

Here's a pic of the beach and some seafood I got at Macker's. And yes, I ate all of that in one seating and had terrible stomach aches... I regret nothing!

Other than fun in the sun, I'm still working on the fourth book to Polaris but keep blanking out because my characters won't act the way I want them to. Ying will not be bound! I think I might have to change his personality a little. More to come.